I had missed this column from Jon Alter last month in Newsweek.
He says we need a pledge for the 37 senators and 193 members of the House of Representatives who voted to sustain President Bush’s recent veto of the bill that would have loosened the restrictions on promising stem cell research into cures for cancer, diabetes, paralysis and various motion disorders.
The vote’s already happened so we know just where these folks stand on the issue. So Alter proposes a pledge that would ask these worthies to go on record pledging not to accept future treatment with any cures they are now voting to block.
His proposed pledge goes as follows …
âBecause of my strong opposition to embryonic-stem-cell research, I hereby pledge that should I, at any point in the future, develop diabetes, cancer, spinal-cord injuries or Parkinsonâs, among other diseases, I will refuse any and all treatments derived from such research, at home or abroad, even if it costs me my life. Signed, ______â
This is rough stuff. And a lot toothier than the normal pledges which only touch one’s voting behavior. But someone who’s genuinely morally opposed to the use of stem cells (actually, ones which already have come into existence and are going to be disposed of) wouldn’t have a problem signing. The only folks put on the spot would be those who are just playing politics with other people’s lives.
Just imagine Rep. Jones who votes against allowing stem cell research but isn’t willing to forswear using the fruit of it if and when it’s his life on the line.
So why not? I think it’s a good idea. Who can pick up the ball and run with this?
Did your senator or representative vote against? You can ask them yourself. The phone’s always handy. But a lot of these folks are out there on the campaign trail. So you could ask in person.
